Climate change causing desertification in Mongolia

Climate change causing desertification in Mongolia. The climate in Mongolia has become more extreme, with summer droughts, harsh winters, dust storms and blizzards. Dr. Punsalmaa Batima, a member of the Nobel Prize winning International Panel on Climate Change, leads a government project on improving water management in Mongolia. She described the growing climate hazards that the semi-arid country has already begun to face.

Dr. Punsalmaa Batima (F): A number of IPCC reports recognized that mountainous and semi-arid regions are very vulnerable to climate change, and Mongolia is also facing the same situation. It’s very dangerous because when very extreme precipitation is increased and mild precipitation is decreased then the land and soil cannot get sufficient moisture. The vegetation and ecosystem is degrading.

VOICE: More than 75% of Mongolia’s land is used for grazing livestock. Clearance for pastureland is therefore the number one cause of deforestation, which has accelerated the spread of deserts across the country.

Dr. Punsalmaa Batima (F): Deserted areas are going to be shifted to the north. Deserted areas are going to be expanded and steppe pasture is going to be less and less, and biomass in high mountain areas are also going to be decreased.
 
For more information about climate change research in Mongolia, please see www.arigsor.mn

VOICE: We thank Dr. Batima and team for raising our awareness about the serious situation of Mongolia’s natural landscapes. We pray that efforts to be gentler to our forests and other beings will restore all the planet’s ecosystems to health once again. 
 
Climate change, drought to strain Colorado River

Western US faces growing water shortages. The Glen Canyon Institute in Utah, USA sponsored a conference where scientists discussed impacts to the Colorado River, a 1400-mile long water body that supports the needs of 30 million people throughout the seven western US states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah.
 
Forecast shortages are being exacerbated by climate change-related drought conditions and the demands of growing populations. Scientists agreed that the current rate of usage is not sustainable and water conservation is key. Thank you researchers for helping us understand the dangers facing the Colorado River. Let us all quickly engage in such caring endeavors such as conservation to assure adequate supplies of this vital resource.

Intel works on tiny devices for eco-technology

Technology to harvest free energy from the environment. Computer chip giant Intel is developing tiny eco-sensors that can be attached to everyday devices such as mouse trackballs and cell phones, where they collect data along with energy from sources such as movement or radiant heat, which can be used to perform tasks. Data such as real-time air quality information could be shared freely, while the energy could be used as soon as a sufficient amount accumulated. Bravo, Intel for these efforts to green the world of Information Technology! We look forward to seeing the soon blossoming of your latest eco-endeavors. 
  

Survival of Atlantic puffin jeopardized by warming waters.

Each spring, the Westman Islands of Iceland become home to one of the largest colonies of Atlantic puffins, with 1.3 million nesting pairs arriving to each bear one chick. Data gathered by Icelandic scientists reveals that in the past three years, the number of chicks have diminished dramatically. With ocean temperatures in Iceland increasing 3.6 ºF in the past 20 years alone, researchers think a lack of food resources linked to climate change is causing the decline.

We are appreciative of this factual report, Iceland scientists. As more and more effects of global warming are revealed, may we hasten our response of turning to sustainable and compassionate lifestyles to save the delightful Atlantic puffin and all living beings.